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Almost 400 wrapped Christmas gifts have been stolen which were meant for sick childre.

Crooks raided a train carriage at the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire which were intended to go to Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, which helps children from Lincolnshire and the East Midlands.

Around £1,500 worth of toys were stolen, including Dora the Explorer gifts, cars, trucks and Transformers, some time in the past two weeks.

The theft was discovered on October 23 when officials at the heritage railway prepared to hand over the gifts which were being stored in the carriage at its Quorn Station.

They were destined for the Rainbows Hospice, which takes patients from across the East Midlands, including Lincolnshire, and the children’s ward at the Leicester Royal Infirmary before the culprits struck.

Families are moved by the generosity of the public after Christmas gifts were stolen

GCR spokesman Michael Stokes told the Leicester Mercury: “Sometime in the last two weeks, one of our carriages has been broken into and 370 presents have been stolen.

“They were stock we bought last year to give out on our Santa trains which was left over and that we had decided to donate the hospital and Rainbows.

“They were wrapped and ready to go but when we went to sort them found they were missing.

“It’s depressing really.”

Mr Stokes said he believed the thieves could have unlocked the carriage doors with a standard carriage key.

He said: “They are quite common and not too hard to get hold of.

"To take that many presents you would really need a van.

“The only good news is that since we discovered the theft we have had a few people prepared to donate replacement toys, so we will at least be able to donate some presents to the children. We are grateful for that.”

But there has since been a silver-lining after officials from Rainbows announced that there has been huge generosity from members of the public across East Midlands.

'Christmas is back on' through the generosity of the public following the theft

East Midlands Trains has even stepped in with an offer to run special Santa trains to restore the shortfall of stolen toys.

But staff from the hospice say "Christmas is back on" after themselves and families of sick children were "absolutely overwhelmed and moved" by the offers of support from the public.

Andrew Ball, director of supporter relations, said: “The warmth and generosity of the public has been overwhelming. And we are so grateful to East Midlands Trains for stepping in with their warm-hearted support.

“We are therefore delighted to announce that, thanks to our amazing supporters and EMT, we’ve been inundated with gifts and toys and that Christmas is officially back on track for the youngsters and families at Rainbows. Thank you.”